Insidious Population Disease: why do bite disorders affect 65-70% children?
While the incidence of tooth decay is decreasing, another, less visible problem is exploding: bite disorder rates can now reach 65-75% among young people. Dr. Sarolta Kovács, head of KS Orthodontics and Dental Studio, was interviewed by László Lakatos on Trend FM.
Many people tend to see orthodontics as a purely aesthetic issue - a beautiful smile that gives them confidence. But the reality is much more complex than that. Bite disorders affect not only the aesthetics of the teeth, but also the can throw the whole body out of balance.
Civilisation harm in the mouth
She pointed out the startling fact that while bite discrepancies were rare in our ancestors, in the modern man's lifestyle - soft food consumption, lack of chewing and environmental influences - has drastically worsened the situation.
"It is a sneaky civilisation disease because it often develops painlessly and parents often only notice it when it's really bad.” - emphasised Dr. Sarolta Kovács in the interview.
Why is early detection important?
One of the key messages of the conversation is that prevention could start at a very early age, at 6-8 years. Unfortunately, at the moment, the health system and parental attention often slips past this point, and it is not until the teenage years, when permanent dentition develops, that a specialist is consulted.
„Most of the differences would be detectable at the age of 6-8 years. If we intervene at this stage, we can control the development of the jawbone much more gently and effectively, avoiding drastic interventions later on.”
It's not just about teeth
Biting disorders can affect breathing, posture and even cause long-term joint problems or chronic headaches. Dr. Sarolta Kovács stressed that the aim of orthodontics is not only to keep teeth straight, but also to restoring functional balance.
„Our goal is for children to enter adulthood not just with a beautiful smile, but with healthy chewing function and optimal breathing pathways. Early treatment can prevent lifelong health problems.”
Summary: What should parents look out for?
If your child is breathing through his mouth, snoring a lot or his teeth don't seem to fit properly, don't wait for the „he'll grow out of it” approach. An expert orthodontist will see the signs at the first consultation that can help prevent problems later on.
Want to know if your child is affected? Come in for a thorough assessment at KS Orthodontics and Dental Studio!
